This was not a game many would wish to see repeated. Keswick held the upper hand regarding territory and possession and ran out worthy winners. A satisfying and much needed win for the visitors but less satisfaction for those watching the game. The fluency of play disappeared into the gathering gloom as Aspatria’s penalty count rose into the 20’s, Keswick conceded less but not by many. So it was stop, start in a contest that will be quickly forgotten.

The points gathered by Keswick move them up to 9th place with 21 points, and Aspatria remain 7th on 23. However, results elsewhere will be a concern to both clubs. Guisborough and Kirkby Lonsdale, who have occupied the two relegation slots in past weeks recorded good wins on home soil. They remain the bottom clubs but will no doubt feel that escape is not beyond them. With the second half of the season now commenced no team in the current bottom six can consider themselves safe from the drop. Some nail biting rugby lies ahead for the 4 Cumbria sides that are all in this mix.

The game at Bower Park began with both sides getting hands on the ball and in those early minutes, it looked likely that the teams were well-matched. Keswick broke the deadlock on 7 minutes with a penalty from Kieran Mewse.

Mewse missed with another attempt on 12 minutes but infringements by Aspatria kept on coming and these handed Keswick near continuous field position in and around the home 22. Keswick, near enough, went through their entire playbook attempting to break the resolve of the home defence. There were rolling mauls, several 5 meter scrums and lineouts plus the odd series of pick and go tactics. Nothing worked.

This pattern of play took the game to within 10 minutes of the halftime whistle when Keswick determined enough was enough and asked Mewse to cash in on yet another penalty to establish a 0:6 lead. Conceding only 3 points was in a strange way a victory for Aspatria. It also allowed them to get into Keswick territory from the restart.

Keswick by this time had also entered into the gift giving spirit of handing penalties to their opponents and did so shortly after the restart to give Aspatria’s Jack Clegg his first pop at the posts to bring the score back to 3:6. A halftime result that the home side had done little to deserve.

The second half was a much more even affair. Keswick certainly shaded time in possession but they would not again achieve the dominance held during the first 40 minutes. In the first 10 minutes of the half Mewse and Clegg swopped penalties for 6:9. The 3 point gap was maintained well into the final quarter. In the intervening time, both teams had opportunities and of these, the best went to Keswick from a kick and chase, providing an overload in the backs division which was ultimately wasted.

On 65 minutes Keswick delivered the crucial score of the game. It was a good try and so totally out of context with the rest of the game. Keswick won possession around halfway and shipped the ball to the left where centre Ryan Weir took possession his arcing run completely outfoxed the covering defence and he was able to sail under the posts. Mewse added the extras and Keswick had the lead at 6:16.

Aspatria saved their best until late in the game, mounting several attacks that might have swung the result but for some committed, last ditch tackling by Keswick. Even in the last minute of the game the home side might have rescued a losing bonus point but declined what seemed an easy penalty. Instead, they decided on one last attack at the Keswick line. The charge to the line was cut down by Keswick to end the game. It was not a pragmatic decision by Aspatria but one that summed up the pride taken in wearing the black and red shirt.